Center of Excellence in Higher Education
The First Private University in Bangladesh

Dr. Fariza Shams

Full Time Faculty
Assistant Professor

PhD. In Microbiology, University of Nottingham, UK
MSc in Clinical Microbiology, University of Nottingham, UK
MSc in Microbiology, University of Dhaka
BSc in Microbiology, University of Dhaka


Phone: +880-2-55668200 Ext- 6410
Email: fariza.shams@northsouth.edu
Office: SAC-817

Curriculum Vitae

 

Dr. Fariza Shams is an Assistant Professor at North South University in the Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology. She earned her Masters's degree in Clinical Microbiology with Distinction and PhD in Microbiology from the University of Nottingham and has over 17 years of experience in academia. Her research focuses on antibiotic resistance, microbial pathogenesis, and biofilm studies. Dr. Shams has published several papers in leading journals and received multiple awards, including the International Research Excellence and Commonwealth scholarships.

Selected Publications

Khan F, Saha K, Rahaman MM, Sadique A, Murshid M, Alam J, Shams F, Hossain MM, Rumman K, Hossain M. Draft genome sequence of Proteus sp. strain NGCRVN-01, isolated from a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2025 Jul 10;14(7):e0017525. doi: 10.1128/mra.00175-25. Epub 2025 Jun 17. PMID: 40525429; PMCID: PMC12243551.

Rahaman MM, Akter S, Asrafie S, U ZZ, Rafsan R, Sadique A, Alam J, Khan F, Tonny NH, Hossain R, Rahman MM, Zisan AN, Billah MB, Uddin KM, Rahman MM, Ahmed O, Shams F, Sharmin A, Hossain MM, Hossain M. Draft genome sequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain NGMBE-25A isolated from fecal samples of migratory birds at Jahangirnagar University, Bangladesh. Microbiol Resour Announc. 2025 Jul 10;14(7):e0116024. doi: 10.1128/mra.01160-24. Epub 2025 Jun 9. PMID: 40488493; PMCID: PMC12243578.

Hossain M, Tabassum T, Rahman A, Hossain A, Afroze T, Momen AMI, Sadique A, Sarker M, Shams F, Ishtiaque A, Khaleque A, Alam M, Huq A, Ahsan GU, Colwell RR. Genotype-phenotype correlation of β-lactamase-producing uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains from Bangladesh. Sci Rep. 2020 Sep 3;10(1):14549. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-71213-5. PMID: 32883963; PMCID: PMC7471317.

Rahman A, Bhuiyan OF, Sadique A, Afroze T, Sarker M, Momen AMI, Alam J, Hossain A, Khan I, Rahman KF, Kamruzzaman M, Shams F, Ahsan GU, Hossain M. Whole genome sequencing provides genomic insights into three Morganella morganii strains isolated from bovine rectal swabs in Dhaka, Bangladesh. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2020 Mar 1;367(6):fnaa043. doi: 10.1093/femsle/fnaa043. PMID: 32129839.

Oldfield, N. J., Shams, F., Wooldridge, K. G., & Turner, D. P. J. (2017). Moonlighting functions of bacterial fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolases. In B. Henderson (Ed.), Moonlighting proteins: Novel virulence factors in bacterial infections (pp. 321–331). John Wiley & Sons.

Shams F, Oldfield NJ, Lai SK, Tunio SA, Wooldridge KG, Turner DP. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase of Neisseria meningitidis binds human plasminogen via its C-terminal lysine residue. Microbiologyopen. 2016 Apr;5(2):340-50. doi: 10.1002/mbo3.331. Epub 2016 Jan 5. PMID: 26732512; PMCID: PMC4831477.

Shams F, Oldfield NJ, Wooldridge KG, Turner DP. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA)-a conserved glycolytic enzyme with virulence functions in bacteria: 'ill met by moonlight'. Biochem Soc Trans. 2014 Dec;42(6):1792-5. doi: 10.1042/BST20140203. PMID: 25399608.

Noor AF, Shams F, Munshi SK, Hassan M, Noor R. Prevalence and antibiogram profile of uropathogens isolated from hospital and community patients with urinary tract infections in Dhaka city. J Bangladesh Acad Sci. 2013 Jun;37(1):57–63. https://doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v37i1.15681

 

Manuscripts Under Review

Shams F, Tabassum S, Rahman A, Tonny NH, Debnath P, Badhon A, Sadique A, Alam J, Hossain M. Whole‑Genome Sequencing of Two Clinical Staphylococcus haemolyticus Isolates Highlights Antibiotic Resistance Genes and Prophage Elements.

Rib NI, Shams F, Hossain SA, Sadique A, Alam J, Khan F, Debnath P, Hossain A, Rahman A, Tabassum SN, Huq TS, Hossain MM. Genomic Characterization of the Comamonas kerstersii Isolated from Diarrheal Patients in Bangladesh.

Khan F, Shams F, Bhuiyan MSM, Rahman A, Tabassum SN, Hossain SA, Sadique A, Jaber AA, Alam J, Rumman K, Biswash P, Debnath P, Bhandare S, Hossain MM. Novel Lytic Bacteriophage Targets Multidrug‑Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: Draft Genome Sequencing from Dhaka, Bangladesh..

Huq TS, Rib NI, Shams F, Rahman A, Khan F, Sadique A, Alam J, Tabassum SN, Tonny NH, Hossain R, Hossain A, Islam S, Khaleque A, Islam A, Hossain M, Alsuwat MA, Rumman K, Joshi L, Hossain MM. Genotype–phenotype correlation of non‑O157 Shiga‑toxin producing Escherichia coli (STEC) obtained from Bangladeshi cattle.

Khan F, Tonny NH, Rahaman MM, Sadique A, Alam J, Tabassum M, Tamanna T, Miah S, Shams F, Sharmin A, Talukder AA, Billah B, Rahman MM, Rahman MM, Hossain M. Genomic Insights into Serratia marcescens NGJE‑81: A Drain Sediment Isolate from Bangladesh.

Khan F, Sadique A, Jaber AA, Hossain SA, Imam MR, Rahaman MM, Alam J, Rafsan R, Saha K, Faik MA, Das T, Ahmed O, Shams F, Sharmin A, Hossain M, Rumman K, Alam M, Hossain M. Genome Report of Vibrio alginolyticus from Marine Water of Saint Martin Island, Bangladesh

 

  • International Research Excellence Scholarship, University of Nottingham 2011-2014
  • Commonwealth Scholarship 2010-2011
  • DEAN’S AWARD of Faculty of Biological Sciences University of Dhaka, 2005
  • Outstanding Academic Performance Award from the Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, 2005
  • PhD in Microbiology (2016): University of Nottingham
  • MSc in Clinical Microbiology (2011): University of Nottingham (Distinction)
  • MS in Microbiology (2007): University of Dhaka (1st Class)
  • BSc in Microbiology (2005): University of Dhaka (1st Class)
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, North South University(2018- Present)
  • Assistant Professor, Department of Microbiology, Stamford University Bangladesh (2010- 2018)
  • Lecturer, Department of Microbiology, Stamford University, Bangladesh (2006-2010)

Theory courses:

Virology, Microbial Taxonomy, Molecular Biology, Microbial Genetics, Immunology, Enzymology, Basic Microbiology,

Biology I

 

Laboratory courses:

Virology Lab, Infectious Diseases and Diagnostic Microbiology Lab, Molecular Biology Lab, Immunology Lab,

Basic Microbiology Lab, Biology-I Lab

  • Global Outreach Contributing Member- American Society for Microbiology (ASM)
  • Member- The International Society of Bangladesh-affiliated Microbiologists (ISBM)
  • Member- Dhaka University Microbiology Alumni Association (DUMAA)

Research Interests

My research interests broadly encompass clinical and environmental microbiology, focusing on antimicrobial resistance (AMR), biofilms, bacteriophages, and bioinformatics. I am particularly keen on mentoring students of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Biotechnology programs, who are enthusiastic about exploring these areas through hands-on, research-driven learning. I actively encourage student participation in innovative and relevant microbiological projects. I am committed to developing interdisciplinary and forward-looking research themes addressing current and emerging microbiology challenges.

Research Grants

Principal Investigator (PI)Phage Resistance: A Kryptonite of Phage Therapy Against Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae
Research Grant, North South University Conference Travel and Research Grants Committee (CTRG), 2024–2025.

Co-Investigator (Co-I)Host-Microbe Plasma Metagenomics for Diagnosing Sepsis in Critically Ill Adults
Research Grant, North South University Conference Travel and Research Grants Committee (CTRG), 2024–2025.

Principal Investigator (PI)A Comparative Analysis of Virulence Factors and Antibiotic Resistance Among Different Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus spp.
Research Grant, North South University Conference Travel and Research Grants Committee (CTRG), 2020–2021.

 

Completed Undergraduate Projects

Clinical Microbiology/ Antimicrobial Resistance/ Biofilm

  1. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of slime-forming Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical samples
  2. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from clinical samples
  3. Antibiotic Resistance Profile of Uropathogenic Klebsiella
  4. In-vitro Biofilm formation by ESBL-producing Uropathogenic Escherichia coli
  5. In Vitro biofilm formation by clinical isolates of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)”
  6. Prevalence of Some Extracellular Virulence Factors Produced by Staphylococcus aureus Isolated From Clinical Samples
  7. Isolation of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from environmental samples
  8. Isolation of Multi-Drug Resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella from Environmental Samples
  9. Phenotypic characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from clinical specimens
  10. Evaluation of the Anti-Biofilm Effect of Disodium EDTA Against Biofilm-Forming Pathogenic Bacteria.
  11. Comparative Analysis of Biofilm Formation and ESBL/MBL Production in Klebsiella Isolated from Clinical and Environmental Samples
  12. The Presence of Multidrug-Resistant Proteus in Rivers Near Two Tertiary Care Hospitals in Dhaka
  13. In Vitro Antibacterial Activity of Green Synthesized Metal Nano Particles
  14. Investigating the Anti-Staphylococcal Activity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains

Bacteriophage

  1. Isolation and characterization of Bacteriophages against Multi-drug resistant Klebsiella
  2. Isolation and Characterization of Bacteriophages against Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli

Bioinformatics

  1. In silico Analysis of Ten Hypothetical Proteins (HPs) of Campylobacter coli RM4661
  2. In silico analysis of E7 proteins of High-risk and Low-risk Human papillomaviruses
  3. In silico analysis of Sixty-four Hypothetical Proteins of Staphylococcus epidermidis strain B1276912

Literature Review-Based Projects

  1. Staphylococcus aureus: Biofilm Formation and Human Diseases
  2. Human Papillomavirus-Induced Cervical Cancer: An Overview
  3. Staphylococcus aureus: A comparison of the gene expression between biofilm and planktonic cells
  4. The Pathogenesis of Dengue Virus Infections
  5. Coagulase-negative staphylococci: an emerging pathogen

Ongoing Undergraduate projects:

Bacteriophage

  • Isolation of biofilm-degrading bacteriophages
  • Isolation of bacteriophages against ESBL-producing bacteria

Environmental Microbiology/Antimicrobial Resistance/ Biofilm

  • Effect of plastics on bacteria isolated from the environment

Bioinformatics

  • Comparative Genomic Analysis of Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus aureus from Clinical and Environmental Sources
  • Prophage Diversity in Staphylococcus isolates
  • In silico Epitope Prediction from Hypothetical Proteins